Abbeylara claimed the Longford senior football final with an extra-time victory over Colmcille.
There was nothing between the sides in the first game two weeks ago and this one was just as tight. Barry McKeon opening the scoring after nine minutes!
McKeon added his and Colmcille’s second point of the game a minute later. A Jack Macken free had Colmcille three clear a minute later.
Two minutes later and Robbie Smith had Abbeylara on the scoreboard with a converted free. Jason Kelly made it a one point game on 16 minutes.
It would take 10 minutes for the games next score as Rory Harkin restored Colmcille’s two point lead. Robbie Smith responded immediately for Abbey.
Cathal Reilly fired over from play bang on the half hour as Comcille led five points to three at half-time.
Frankie Dolan’s Abbeylara were level three minutes after the restart through Caolan Lynch from play and a Ciaran Scanlon free.
A Dylan McCabe free had Colmcille ahead as Jason Kelly responded from the play. The game tied six points each at three-quarter time.
Two minutes later Fergal Sheridan found the Abbey net, but the drama was just beginning. Robbie Smyth riffling in a goal in response.
Smyth fired over a point with five minutes remaining but it wasn’t enough for victory. Colmcille keeper Noel Farrell sending over a point from play two minutes into injury time to send the game to extra-time. 1-7 each the score at the end of 60 minutes.
Extra-time required
Frankie Dolan’s side showed the extra conditioning in extra-time. Cathal P Smyth and Robbie Smyth from play giving Abbey a 1-9 to 1-7 half-time in extra-time lead.
Smith sent over two minutes into the second period, who played down the clock well. A second yellow for Robbie Smyth saw Abbey down to 14 men with a minute of extra-time to play.
However it would be Abbeylara’s day as Rhys Reilly found the net to secure Abbey’s first Connolly cup since 2008.
